By James Blears
World Boxing Council (WBC) President Jose Sulaiman has slammed undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe.
Joe, 43-0 with 32 knockouts, is boxing’s longest reigning champion with 20 successful defenses during an almost ten year run. He recently defeated US contender Peter Manfredo Jr, at the Millennium Stadium. But in doing so he fractured a scaphoid bone in his left hand.
From his Mexico City Headquarters, Sulaiman took his own crack, by dismissing Calzaghe. He said: “Mikkel Kesssler, from Denmark, who’s WBC and WBA Super Middleweight champion, could tie up his left hand and still defeat Joe Calzaghe!
“I don’t want to hurt the British fans, who believe in Calazghe, but he’s been led in his career, by defeating many second and third rate fighters. He’s never really met a first rate fighter!
“Kessler (39-0 with 29 knockouts) , is not a first rate fighter- Kessler is a Super Fighter, and Calzaghe would never even dream he could defeat Kessler. I also don’t think Calzaghe is ready for Kessler. Calzaghe’s chance against him would be slim and none!”
Joe’s Promoter Frank Warren was seeking out a unification bout with Kessler. But Kessler’s Promoter explained that he would not be ready and prepared by July, which is when Joe is planning to fight next.
Another possibility is WBC Middlweight Champion Jermain Taylor. Frank Warren’s offering him 1.5 million pounds, and then bumped it up to two million, for a showdown with Joe.
However Sulaiman is pouring cold water on this too. He said: “Jermain Taylor should NOT fight Joe Calzaghe, because he would be giving away a lot of weight. Taylor is a natural middleweight. He’s also a very good fighter and a very good champion. He has no reason to step out of his division.”
One of the greatest fights of Joe’s career was against US muscle ripped Jeff Lacy. But Sulaiman questioned Jeff’s tag of being a quality fighter by commenting: “Quality with asterisks!”